Apparatus for rinsing bedpans



March 8, 1955 C, GRAY 2,703,408

APPARATUS FOR RINSING BEDPANS Filed April 28, 1952 l5@ lln 27 yAm-Ta y nventor, 35, fL-j' 54 C02/Yams 695)@ United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR RINSING BEDPANS Cornelius Gray, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Gray Development Company, a corporation of California Application April 28, 1952, Serial N o. 284,845

2 Claims. (Cl. 4 7) This invention relates to apparatus for rinsing bed pans after they have been emptied into a toilet bowl or other waste receiver, which apparatus may be manufactured and installed as original toilet plumbing, or as an attachment to the present standard toilet plumbing.

The general object of the invention is to provide a bed pan rinser of the character, as above stated, which is simple and practical in construction, requires no maintenance, is easy to install, easy and convenient to use, and highly etlicient and sanitary in operation.

Another object is to provide a novel apparatus for diverting part of the water, which is circulated through the plumbing of a toilet for ushing the same, away from said plumbing, and directing said diverted water into a bed pan held over the toilet bowl, for rinsing out said bed pan into said toilet bowl, while the remaining water in said plumbing serves to partly flush the toilet, until the bed pan is thoroughly rinsed, whereupon the water diverted through my apparatus is shut olf from the same and the toilet is then fully ilushed in the conventional manner.

A more particular object is to provide a novel and improved diverter valve including an operating spout therefor, which valve is embodied in the plumbing of a toilet, and is closed, by said spout, when said spout is normally swung into its uppermost position out of the Way and out of use, and which valve is opened when said spout is swung down into its lowermost position, for diverting water from the toilet plumbing through said valve and said spout, into a bed pan held under the lower end of said spout, for rinsing out said bed pan with the water from said plumbing and spout, into the toilet bowl below said pan.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for rinsing bed pans, of the character stated, including an injector for antisepticizing, deodorizing or both a bed pan and the rtoilet in which the bed pan is rinsed, whereby disagreeable odors are eliminated from said bed pan and the toilet during the use of my invention.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter, as this specification progresses.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as shown in the accompanying drawings, described generally and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of my invention shown installed in the plumbing of a conventional toilet,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of my invention as shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section of my invention taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, the valve being in changed position from that of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of my invention taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section of my invention taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, a diverter valve 1 is interposed in the plumbing 2 for a toilet 3, through which plumbing said toilet is ushed. The plumbing 2 and the toilet 3 may be conventional, with said plumbing connected at its upper end to a wall water plumbing xture 4, and at its lower end to the toilet inlets 5 in the rear part 2,703,408 Patented Mar. 8, 1955 of said toilet 3. The conventional plumbing 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, with my diverter valve 1 interposed therein, is cut or separated intermediate its ends into an upper vertical pipe section 6 and a lower vertical pipe section 7, between which sections my diverter valve 1 is interposed, in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter more fully described.

The upper end of the upper pipe section 6 is connected to the lower end of a coupling 8, which in turn is connected at its upper end to the lower end of a flush valve 9, formed on the lower end of an elbow 10, to one side of which elbow above said flush valve 9 is formed an inlet 11, to which is connected one end of a horizontal pipe 12, the other end of which pipe is connected to the wall plumbing xture 4. The upper pipe section 6 of the toilet plumbing 2 is oifset relative to the transverse center of the toilet 3 (Figure 2), for connection of the lower end of said pipe section to the upper end of my diverter valve 1, in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter more fully described.

The lower end of the pipe section 7 of the toilet plumbing 2 is connected to the inlet 5 of the toilet 3 at the upper rear part of the toilet on the transverse center or longitudinal axis of the toilet, while the upper end of said lower pipe section 7 is positioned for connection to the lower outlet end of the diverter valve on the transverse center or longitudinal center of the toilet 3.

My diverter valve 1 comprises primarily a control valve 13 formed with an inlet 14, an outlet 15, and a regulating valve 16 for regulating the flow of water from said inlet to said outlet, whether the control valve 13 is open or closed, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. My diverter valve 1 includes a housing 17 in which are formed the control valve 13, inlet 14, outlet 15, and regulating valve 16. The control valve 13 comprises a valve barrel 18, which extends transversely of my diverter valve 1 and is formed with a conical bore 19, in which bore is turnably fitted a conical valve plug 20. Said valve plug is formed with a longitudinal central port 21 which is closed at one end by wall 22. Port 21 extends through an elbow 23 on said plug, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. The outer end of said elbow is threaded at 24 for reception of a cylindrical spout 25, and on the outer end of said spout is threaded, or otherwise detachably fitted, a suitable spray nozzle 26. From the inner or left end of the valve plug 2t) projects an axial cylindrical journal 27, which journal extends through and is fitted in a bearing 28 in an inner end wall 29 of a valve-barrel cap 30, which is tted over and against the left end of the control Valve barrel 18, as also shown in Figure 6 of the drawing. The valve barrel cap 30 is provided with a recess 31 in its outer side extending inwardly to the inner end wall 29 of said cap, through which recess extends the journal 27, and a coil spring 32 surrounds said journal in said recess bearing at its inner end, at inner end wall 29 of the barrel cap 30. The journal 27 is formed with two diametrically disposed flat sides 33. The journal 27 is threaded at 34 to carry a nut 35, which bears against one end of the spring 32. The nut 35 carries a set screw 36 for locking the nut against turning on threads 34.

The valve plug 20 is formed with a port 37 leading from the periphery of said plug radially to the central longitudinal outlet port 21 in said plug, by means of which port 37 communication is established between the inlet 14 and outlet port 21 leading to the spout 25 and nozzle 26. In the periphery of the valve plug 20 is provided a concave longitudinally extending port 38 for establishing communication between the inlet 14 and the outlet 15 in the housing 17 of my diverter valve 1, when the valve plug 20 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. In the periphery of the valve plug 20, opposite the ports 37 and 38, are provided a pair of shallow ports 39 and 40, extending nearly the length of the valve plug 20, which ports are separated by a narrow wall 41, and said wall is transversely notched at 42, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. On the outer right end of the valve plug 20 at the adjoining end of the outlet spout elbow 23 is formed a short square stud member 43, coaxial With said plug for positioning a double-arm stopengaging arresting device 44, for arresting the rinsing spout 25 in its lowermost horizontal and operative position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, or for arresting said spout in its uppermost inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines in said figure. Said arresting device 44 is provided on one side thereof with a right angled notch, which lits over three sides of the square stud member 43. Said arresting device 44 is formed with a pair of stop engaging arms 48 and 49 extending outwardly from the device at opposite sides, respectively, of the notch 45 in said device, which arms 48 and 49 are adapted, respectively, to engage a stop 50 projecting from one side of the valve housing 17 for arresting the valve plug with the rinsing spout 25 in its lowermost operative position or in its uppermost inop erative position, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawlugs.

In the upper part of the cylindrical wall of the valve barrel 18 is provided an oil inlet 51 for lubricating the conical interengaging surfaces of said valve barrel and the valve plug 20, which oil inlet is normally closed by an oil plug 52 threaded in said oil inlet.

The regulating valve 16 is located between the upper end portion 53 of the housing inlet 14 and the control valve 13, and comprises an internally threaded fitting 54, a valve plug 55 threaded in and extending through said fitting, and an externally threaded sleeve 56 threaded in the upper end of said tting 54 and enclosing stem 57 of the valve plug 55. A horizontal partition 59 separates the inlet 14 from the outlet 15 and extends to bore 19. Said partition is provided with a port 60 in axial alignment with valve plug 55 whereby the regulating valve 16 may be closed upon rotation of plug 55 in one direction, or to regulate fluid by-pass through the port.

The upper end of my diverter valve inlet 14 is detachably connected to the lower end of the upper pipe section 6 of the toilet plumbing 2 by a screw coupling 61, while the lower end of my diverter valve outlet 15 is detachably connected to the upper end of the lower section 7 of the toilet plumbing 2 by a screw coupling 62.

The operation, uses and advantages of my invention are as follows:

Normally, when my apparatus for rinsing bed pans is not in use, the rinsing spout 24 is swung upwardly and slightly backwardly, until the arm 48 of the stop-engaging arresting device 44 on the valve plug 20 engages the stop 50 on one side of my diverter valve housing 17, and arrests further backward swinging movement of the spout in its uppermost inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings.

When it is desired to rinse a bed pan, the toilet seat may be moved to a vertical position, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and the bed pan emptied into the open toilet bowl 3. While holding the emptied bed pan with one hand, the nurse grasps the rinsing spout with her other hand and swings said spout forwardly and downwardly into its horizontal operative position directly centrally over the toilet bowl, in which position the rinsing spout 25 is arrested by the engagement of the arm 49 of the stop-engaging arresting device 44, with the under side of the stop 50, as shown in full lines in Figure l of the drawings, in which position of the rinsing spout 25, the nurse with one hand places the emptied bed pan directly under the downwardly projecting spray nozzle 26 on the forward end of the rinsing spout. Thereafter, the toilet iush valve 9 is depressed, whereupon the larger portion of the toilet ushing water passes through the conventional plumbing 2 and through the inlet 14, port 60, outlet 15 of the diverter valve 1, into the toilet 3, while a lesser, but substantial portion of said ushing water passes from the inlet 14 of the diverter valve 1, through the diverter valve plug ports 37 and 21 (see Figure 3), through the diverter valve spout 25 and spray nozzle 26, into the bed pan.

The valve of my invention has been engineered to provide ample passages for water ow for eicient operation of the toilet flushing cycle; also complete control of the ow required at rinsing spray nozzle for any pres sures encountered on any water supply system.

My invention has been designed especially for sanitary hospital bed pan rinsing. It eliminates an extra vacuum breaker, because the device is installed below the standard vacuum breaker already provided for the toilet. The nurse has both hands free to hold the bed pan, insuring a proper rinsing.

My invention provides a device which is inexpensive and installation cost is nominal because the usual ush valve alreadv installed for the ordinary toilet also serves my diverter valve herein described. Maintenance costs are practically nothing, as the valve only requires lubrication yearly, and there are no washers to change, or packing to replace.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus for rinsing bed pans, the combination of a toilet and plumbing for flushing the same, of a diverter valve interposed in said plumbing, said diverter valve including an inlet and an outlet, to which said plumbing is connected, a turnable valve member, and a rinsing spout secured to and turnable with said valve member, and said valve member being formed with ports leading therethrough from said diverter valve inlet to the inner end of said rinsing spout, whereby said rinsing spout may be turned down over the toilet bowl for establishing communication between said diverter valve inlet through said valve member ports and said rinsing spout, for rinsing a bed pan held over said toilet under the outer end of said spout, whereby communication may be shut off from said inlet through the ports of said valve member and said spout when said spout is swung up into its uppermost position, and a regulating valve for regulating the flow of water through the inlet and outlet of said diverter valve for flushing the toilet.

2. In an apparatus for rinsing bed pans, the combination of a toilet and plumbing for ushing the same, of a diverter valve interposed in said plumbing, said diverter valve including an inlet and an outlet, to which said plumbing is connected, a turnable valve member, and a rinsing spout secured to and turnable with said valve member, and said valve member being formed with ports leading therethrough from said diverter valve inlet to the inner end of said rinsing spout, whereby said rinsing spout may be turned down over the toilet bowl for establishing communication between said diverter valve inlet through said valve member ports and said rinsing spout, for rinsing a bed pan held over said toilet under the outer end of said spout, whereby communication may be shut ot from said inlet through the ports of said valve member and said spout when said spout is swung up into its uppermost position; said diverter valve being formed with a partition between said inlet and said outv. let, said partition being provided with an outlet port,

and a regulating plunger valve in the wall of the diverter valve formed with an adjustably mounted plunger in line with the outlet port to be adjusted toward or away from or into said outlet port for regulating the amount of Water passing through said outlet port to ush the toilet or to close said outlet port and shut off said water to the toilet.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,611 Hinsdale May 18, 1920 2,001,341 Clarke May l5, 1935 2,080,438 Salvoni May 18, 1937 2,504,257 Dunn Apr. 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 336,337 Italy Feb. 15, 1936 451,252 Great Britain July 24, 1936 

